Police in Mpumalanga province continue to make an impact in the recovery of theft, robbery or hijacking of motor vehicles.
One of such successes recently has been the recovery of a grey VW SUV T-Cross with Gauteng registration number plates at Oshoek Border on Wednesday night, 22 March 2023. The breakthrough was witnessed during the time when the suspect, Thulane Mavundla (33) was reportedly arrested whilst trying to smuggle the said car out of South Africa into the Kingdom of Eswatini through Oshoek Port of Entry.
According to the information, members of the SAPS from Border Policing were busy with their normal routine duties, stopping and searching vehicles that were passing through. They then reportedly came across the said vehicle driven by Mavundla. Upon further inspection of the car, that was when they discovered that the vehicle has been allegedly stolen on 21 March 2023 during an armed robbery incident at Sydenham around Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province.
The driver was immediately arrested and charged for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Mavundla appeared at the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 23 March 2023 on the said charges. His case was postponed to 30 March 2023 for a formal bail application meanwhile he remained in custody.
The suspect may also face more charges as the investigation continues with regard to the armed robbery incident whereby the said vehicle was stolen.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has once again commended members for their continuous commitment and vigilance whilst working at the border. This has been evident by the successes that were made recently, including the recovery of vehicles and the confiscation of large amount of dagga in the past few days. “With such energetic and committed members we are confident that our goal of safety for all residents will be attainable” said the General.
